China says it firmly opposes NKoreas N-test

Beijing:
China "firmly" opposes the latest nuclear test conducted by North Korea,
the Chinese foreign ministry said on Tuesday.

"On February 12, 2013, (North Korea) conducted another nuclear test in
disregard to the common opposition of the international community," said
the foreign ministry, adding that "the Chinese government is firmly
opposed to this act," reported Xinhua.

North Korea's official KCNA news agency has confirmed the nuclear test
took place.

"The scientific field for national defence of (North Korea) succeeded in
the third underground nuclear test at the site for underground nuclear
test in the northern part of the DPRK on Tuesday," said the news agency.

Pyongyang has already conducted similar nuclear tests in 2006 and 2009.

The foreign ministry said it is the firm stand of the Chinese side to
bring about denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula, prevent nuclear
proliferation and safeguard peace and stability in northeast Asia.

"We strongly urge (North Korea) to honour its commitment to
denuclearisation and refrain from any move that may further worsen the
situation.To safeguard peace and stability on the Peninsula and in
Northeast Asia serves the common interests of all parties," said the
statement.

It added, "The Chinese government calls on all parties to respond in a
cool-headed manner and persist in resolving the issue of denuclearisation
of the Peninsula through dialogue and consultation within the context of
the Six-Party Talks."

The six-party talks, a negotiation mechanism that includes North Korea,
South Korea, the US, China, Japan and Russia, were launched in 2003 but
stalled in December 2008. North Korea quit the talks in April 2009.